A cross community march is set to take place in West Belfast over job concerns at leisure centres in the city.

The march and rally will take place this Saturday, April 7, to voice concerns over what they described as a threat to jobs by leisure centre operator GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited).

Unite Regional Officer, Michael Keenan, said staff are having to re-apply for their jobs which will see them switch to less favourable conditions.

The marches will leave leisure centres in both areas before joining for a rally at the peace gate at Northumberland Street.

The initiative came following a meeting last week organised by Cllr Matt Collins in Belfast City Hall, which was attended by a large group of leisure staff and trade union reps from across the city.

Cllr Collins said: "The parties on Belfast City Council who privatised our leisure services have much to answer for. Many people are aghast at the practice of the management company, GLL, from price hikes to attacks on workers terms and conditions. These job losses are the latest attack in a long line of grievances, and staff are rightly angry.

"On Saturday at 1pm workers are coming together across the divide to oppose these attacks on jobs and on our services. I would appeal to people to come down and support the event, to bring their friends and family and take a stand with leisure workers. Join the march wherever you’re comfortable, either at the Falls or Shankill leisure centre, people will be walking together united.

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"Workers will gather at both the Falls and Shankill Leisure centres at 1pm on Saturday, April 7, where they will proceed to walk to the peace gate on Northumberland Street for a rally to defend jobs."

Mr Keenan added: "Saturday is going to be the start, it is pent up frustration about a lot of issues and problems that have not been dealt with effectively. No one is listening to staff and this is going to be the start of a campaign to bring it to the attention of politicians."

GLL, who describe themselves as a “charitable social enterprise”, previously said they “will be restructuring the leisure services it provides within Belfast”, as part of an “ongoing modernisation programme”.

In a statement released earlier this year, they said: “This is a hugely positive project, which will improve employment opportunities in the city with the creation of 50 totally new jobs.

“While some historic staff roles will change, the restructure offers fantastic career development prospects within the leisure industry and because GLL is committed to promoting from within, existing staff who wish to progress will be given the support and training needed.

“2019 will also see the launch of three new, state-of-the-art leisure centres including: Twinbrook, Andersontown and the Robinson Centre, we are confident that as our business grows and modernises both our staff and customers will benefit.”